Voorhees Township Police Department K9’s Ruck, Maverick, & Kane have received a bullet and stab protective vests thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. K9 Ruck’s vest is sponsored by Bill and Christina Varnold of Upton, MA and embroidered with the sentiment “Gifted by Bill and Christina Varnold”. K9 Maverick’s vest is sponsored by an Anonymous Donor and embroidered with the sentiment “This vest is given by Adele and Sweeny – Be Safe”. K9 Kane’s vest is sponsored by Deena Burnett of Thornton, CO and embroidered with the sentiment “Gift of protection provided by Peter Paturynski”.

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a 501c (3) charity located in East Taunton, MA whose mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States. The non-profit was established in 2009 to assist law enforcement agencies with this potentially lifesaving body armor for their four-legged K9 officers.

Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provided over 2,400 protective vests, in 50 states, through private and corporate donations, at a cost of over 1.9 million dollars. All vests are custom made in the USA by Armor Express in Central Lake, MI.

The program is open to dogs actively employed in the U.S. with law enforcement or related agencies who are certified and at least 20 months of age. New K9 graduates, as well as K9s with expired vests, are eligible to participate.

The donation to provide one protective vest for a law enforcement K9 is $1,050.00. Each vest has a value between $1,795 – $2,234 and a five-year warranty, and an average weight of 4-5 lbs. There is an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K9s throughout the United States. For more information or to learn about volunteer opportunities, please call 508-824-6978. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provides information, lists events, and accepts tax-deductible donations of any denomination at www.vik9s.org or mailed to P.O. Box 9 East Taunton, MA 02718.

K-9 Ruck

K9 Ruck is handled by Officer Kenneth Sacavitch, a 22-year veteran of the Department, 17 years of which he has been a K-9 handler. K-9 Ruck was born in Czechoslovakia and was imported to the United States by Tarheel K-9 in North Carolina. K-9 Ruck is trained in patrol and narcotics detection.

K-9 Maverick

K-9 Maverick is handled by Officer Anthony Campbell, an eight-year veteran, two years as a K9 handler. K9 Maverick was purchased by Officer Campbell at eight weeks old. Once K-9 Maverick’s training was complete, Officer Campbell donated K-9 Maverick to the Voorhees Police Department. K-9 Maverick is trained in patrol and narcotics detection.

K-9 Kane

K-9 Kane joined the Voorhees Police Department in September of 2015. K-9 Kane is handled by Officer Ryan Brennan, a 10-year veteran, with over a year as a K-9 handler. K-9 Kane was born in Czechoslovakia and was also imported by Tarheel K-9. K-9 Kane is trained in patrol and narcotics detection.